Ahead of the vote on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, Labour has revealed a catalogue of cases in which rapists received shorter sentences that the Government’s proposed maximum sentence for damaging a statue.

The cases include that of John McDonald who raped schoolgirl under 13, but received a 7 year sentence, and the case of John Patrick who raped a 13 year old, but received just a 7 year sentence.

On Monday, the Government’s Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse, defended the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which allows someone attacking a statue to receive up to a 10-year term in prison, when rape sentences start at five years. He said the 10 year sentence for damaging statues reflects their “emotional value”.

David Lammy MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, said:

“The Government’s apparent belief that it is acceptable for some rapists and other attackers of women to get lower sentences than those who damage statues is a disgrace.

“By failing to mention women once, the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill misses an opportunity to tackle the violence against women and girls that is forcing so many to live in fear.

“The Government should work with Labour to implement its package of proposals to increase sentences for rapists and stalkers, as well as to criminalise street harassment, make misogyny a hate crime and tackle the culture of misogyny that underpins violence against women and girls.”